Calc Proof(s): Uniform Continuity

In summary, the first proof is to show that the function f: [0,infin) -> R defined by f(x) = 1/x is not uniformly continuous on (0,infin). The second proof is to show that g: [0, infin) -> R defined by g(x) = (4x) / (x+2) is uniformly continuous on [0, infin].
  • #1
mtvateallmybrains
3
0
There are two proofs which I have attempted to work on that have beein somewhat trifling. The first of which is :

prove that the function f: [0,infin) -> R defined by f(x) = 1/x is not uniformly continuous on (0,infin).
im thinking that the way in which i should probably attempt to solve this problem is by using a theorem which states:

for a function f: D -> R and a point x_0 in its domain D, the following two assertions are equiv:
i.) the function f: D -> R is contin. on x_0
ii.) for each epsilon > 0, there exists a delta > 0 such that |f(x) - f(y)| < epsilon for all points x in D such that | x - x_0 | < delta

I suppose that if i were to do that then all i would have to do is let x_0 be a point at infinity (in the domain) and allow x to converge to x_0? then somewhere, somehow, something equals zero which is not strictly greater than epsilon (or something along these lines maybe?) also, would it perhaps be easier to solve this proof by contradiction and if so, how would one venture into doing so?

=======================
second proof: prove that g: [0, infin) -> R defined by g(x) = (4x) / (x+2) is uniformly continuous on [0, infin).

after finding a common denom. for | g(x) - g(y) | < epsilon, this resolves to ( 8 |x-y| ) / ( |x+2| |y+2|) the |x-y| in the numerator can be swapped out for a delta, but I am kind of stuck after this. what should i do next and what steps am i leaving out?


While i understand pretty much everything i read it's only a small portion of what's required for a math analysis course (as most of you know). But I am very weak in the area of actually preforming a proof - once i see the direction it's taking, however, i can usually do okay, but the initial steps always give me trouble. I've had the usual basic introduction to continuous functions and limits as well as sequences - everything you usually learn in your first math/calculus analysis course. While i understand the principle of proofs (and even forward-backward techniques) I am still just very weak at actually doing them (for lack of experience). so with all of that having been said, any help would be greatly appreciated.

thank you !
 
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  • #2
The definition of uniform continuity is:
A function f : D -> R is called uniformly continuous if for every real number
ε>0 there exists a number δ>0 such that for all x, y in D with |x-y|< δ, we have |f(x)-f(y)|<ε.

So a function is NOT uniformly continous
when there exists a real number ε>0, such that for all δ>0
there exists a pair x,y in D with |x-y|< δ and |f(x)-f(y)|>=ε

That's what you need to show for f(x)=1/x.
 
  • #3
infinity isn't in the domain, so you can't use that as an input.

You have the definition of uniform continuity. What is its negation? Show that there is a delta such that for all ..., which is reasonbly straightforward as long as you don't look anywhere near infinity, since that isn't the reason why it isn't uniformly continuous.
 

Related to Calc Proof(s): Uniform Continuity

1. What is uniform continuity?

Uniform continuity is a mathematical concept that describes the behavior of a function over its entire domain. It means that for any two points in the domain, the difference in the function values will be smaller than a given positive number, regardless of how close the points are to each other.

2. How is uniform continuity different from continuity?

Continuity refers to the smoothness or lack of breaks in a function, while uniform continuity ensures that the function remains smooth over its entire domain. In other words, a function can be continuous but not uniformly continuous if there are points in the domain where the function is not smooth enough.

3. Can a function be uniformly continuous but not continuous?

No, a function cannot be uniformly continuous but not continuous. Uniform continuity is a stronger condition that implies continuity. If a function is uniformly continuous, it is also continuous.

4. What are the main properties of uniformly continuous functions?

Uniformly continuous functions have the following properties:

  • They are continuous over their entire domain.
  • Their limits at any point in the domain exist.
  • They can be extended to the closure of their domain without changing their values.
  • They map Cauchy sequences to Cauchy sequences.

5. How can I prove uniform continuity?

To prove uniform continuity, you need to show that for any given positive number, there exists a corresponding positive number such that the difference in the function values is smaller than the given number for any two points in the domain. This can be done using the epsilon-delta definition of uniform continuity or by showing that the function is Lipschitz continuous.

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